Nandini's POV

As I opened my eyes I noticed I was lying on top of Manik as he held me possessively in his arms as if I would vanish the next second his grip loosens. I sighed and stared at his face which now looked peaceful.

Yesterday had been too much for both of us to keep our emotions at bay. I never had seen him so vulnerable and in pain. He cried for the first time infront of him and that meant he was slowly letting me in, and I was glad. My thoughts came to a halt when Manik moved as his grip tightened and frowns appeared on his forehead.

I wonder what he must be dreaming of! I bent down slowly and kissed his forehead trying to ease his frown lines and it did, they disappeared and a satisfactory sigh escaped his lips. I caressed his cheeks ever so softly staring at my broken yet strong man.

"If you continue to do that it won't take me a second to flip you over and do things I want to!" His sudden hoarse voice made me slightly jump in his arms as my heartbeat accelerated.

His eyes flickered open and got me drowned in them as the intensity only made me shiver. His hands caressed my arms causing goosebumps arrive on them.

"Good morning Rose!" His voice was husky wanting me to melt.

"Good morning!" I managed to croak out without stammering.

"How are you today?" He asked and I just nodded letting him know I was okay.

"You know I'm sorry for whatever happened yesterday right?" He asked softly as he tucked a loose strand behind my ear, with the guilt dancing in his eyes.

"Hm!" I had nothing to say.

I won't lie I was still hurt from whatever he had said rather threw at me. I know for a fact that it must have got very difficult for him to relive his past again but he didn't had any right to say those things to me.

"Rose?" He shook me and I looked at him snapping out of it.

"Are you alright?" He asked, worry evident in his eyes.

"I'm fine!" I lied as I moved away and sat on the bed.

He too sat on the bed and stared at me while I avoided his gaze.

"I know you haven't forgiven me yet! But I promise I will make it up to you!" He said honestly and I closed my eyes.

"I'll freshen up!" I got up and left quickly to avoid the situation.

After I freshened up I moved downstairs and noticed Rishabh and Cabir gone while Navya was playing with Alex.

"Navya!" I called and she looked at me as her eyes twinkled.

"Nandini!" She squealed and I was confused.

"Come here!" She said excitedly patting the place next to her and I obeyed.

"What happened?" I asked and she held my hand tightly and placed it on her belly.

"You know when I said that everybody loves you he didn't react but when I mentioned Manik he kicked!" She exclaimed but I still had a confused look.

"Wait! I'll show what I mean!" She said when she saw my face and with our hand still on her belly she smiled widely.

"Mumma loves you!" She said and we waited but nothing.

"Daddy loves you!" Still nothing.

"Nandini aunt loves you!" I looked at her wide eye when she said 'chachi' instead of 'maasi' but she ignored me.

"Navya there's no reaction!" I whined.

"Now there will be!" She said and looked at me excitedly.

"Manik uncle loves you!" She whispered and then it happened. We both felt it as I gasped at the feeling. My eyes were filled with amusement and hers with excitement.

"H-He kicked!" I exclaimed loudly.

"He did!" She nodded happily.

Just as we were sharing our happy smiles we heard my name being called and my smile faltered. My hand slipped down from her belly and Navya too noticed it. He came there and stood behind me while I didn't turn to look at him.

"Rose!" He called again and I looked away. It wasn't that I wanted to avoid him, it was just that I couldn't look at him as doing that would remind me of those harsh words he spoke.

"Manik I don't know what went wrong between you two. But this time when I can see the change in you I'll say give her some time. She needs it. Don't bother her till she is comfortable around you!" Navya said and I heard him intake a sharp breath. A tear escaped my eye as I knew he needed me the most right now but I was too hurt.

"I ..!" He tried to speak something but nothing came out of his mouth.

"I have to go!" He said abruptly and was about to leave when Navya stopped him.

"Wait!" She said loudly and his steps halted.

"Manik please come here!" She requested and he obliged without a throwing a fit. I was surely surprised the way they were behaving because all I've seen is them fighting and arguing. But maybe their bond is much deeper and stronger than I see.

He sat beside her looking down and I couldn't help but feel helpless at his state. Navya took his hand and placed it on her belly and my eyes widened knowing what she was upto. Next she did was unexpected as she held my hand as well and placed it over his. My eyes snapped at her and she blinked at me while I sighed still not looking at the person who was staring at me.

"Now you both are gonna feel this. Together!" She said and I couldn't help but feel excited.

"Are you listening baby. You know no one over here is patient about you. Everyone wants you out as soon as possible. And your Mumma and Daddy can't wait to hold you. They love you the most!" She paused and smiled caressing her belly. Manik looked confused as what she was upto.

"But you know what? Your Manik uncle is the most impatient one though he never is going to say it!" She said looking at him while he looked shocked.

"Manik uncle and Nandini aunt loves you the most!" She said lovingly and then he kicked.

We heard a gasp but this time it wasn't me, it was Manik! His surprising eyes stared at Navya who was smiling at him. I too had a smile on my face seeing his reaction. The time and moment was too precious to hold any grudges at that moment.

"Di-Did he ...Did he just -!" Manik stammered not realising what to say.

"Yes he kicked! He reacted when I said you love him!" Navya said softly.

Unknowingly I squeezed his hand a little which was under mine and his eyes snapped at my direction. This time I didn't look away and gave him a small smile and his lips curved upwards as well. He got up and pecked Navya forehead murmuring a 'take care' before coming in my direction. He pecked my forehead too and murmured a 'sorry' before leaving.

"These moments are too precious Nandini. I know you need time but don't take too long that you might lose it all as well." Navya uttered as I stared at the door.

I knew she was right but then life had never been so easy going. It challenges you, throws a fit at you, tests you in all possible ways and I guess I had to give a test yet again.

Rest of the day passed plain as I had nothing to do and Alex had not been doing well. My poor baby was sick. He kept sleeping all day and his drowsy tired eyes would make me sad. Treatment had been provided to him and he was hoped to get well soon.

Later that night when Manik returned with Bhai he looked tired and worn out. I didn't know whether it was the work or me that had worn him out because I have never seen him this tired.

He didn't bother me as Navya had asked him to but somewhere I wanted him to bother me. Call it stupid, selfish but I craved for his attention.

Currently we were in his room getting ready to sleep when I sensed his gaze on me. I totally avoided it and slept on my side facing towards the other side. I heard him sigh as he too slipped under the covers but facing me as I felt his stare burning holes on my back.

When after sometime we both couldn't sleep Manik got up. I knew he did but I didn't react and pretended to sleep.

"Rose I know you're awake! Stop pretending!" He caught me and I pressed my eyes more tightly.

"Rose please!" He pleaded and I couldn't deny anymore so I too sat up.

"Can I ask something from you?" He asked and I looked at him with my questioning eyes.

"Can you - Can you just let me hold you at nights? I promise I won't bother you the whole day but just- just please let me hold you at nights. I can't sleep without having you in my arms." He said vulnerably and my eyes softened.

I just nodded and he smile weakly but I know he was in pain. I scooted closer to him and laid down beside him keeping my head on his heart. He encircled his hands around me sighing in content.

"Manik!" I called him softly.

"Hm!" He just hummed but I knew he wanted to say something and was holding himself back.

"You want to share something?" I asked and felt his heart beating faster.

"I just -!" He stopped and I snuggled more close.

"I'm listening Manik! I'm there!" I assured him softly and he gripped me tightly.

"I just miss her a little more everyday Nandini! I wish I could rewind the time and bring her back! I just wish I could have saved her, saved her from the cruel world!" His voice laced with pain.

"Manik did your father -!" I didn't say anything further as his body stiffened.

"I have no father Nandini!" He almost growled with hatred.

"I am only Nyonika Malhotra's son!" He said coldly and I remained silent.

After a two minute silence when I felt he was asleep he spoke something which made me lose my mind.

"Mom was not married Nandini! She was raped! And I am the result of that forceful thing!" The remorse in his voice made me more numb as tears ran down from my eyes for his pain.

~~~

So! How many hearts for this Monster and his Rose?

Do you think Nandini should forgive him so easily? Or Manik's acts were justified because of his past?
(And don't think that he can't do that because he has a vulnerable past! Past is something which haunts you and makes you do things you don't want to! You don't have a control over yourself at that time!)